6.9idi NA to 7.3idi NA swap questions

86f2504x4

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It's a 1986 F250 4x4 with a broken 6.9 & t19, all stock... I want to put a natural 7.3 running engine that was in a 1989 E350 van with a C6... I know the motor mounts and oil cooler housing are different, but don't know if I can use the 6.9 (T-19) flywheel and clutch (LUK 12") on the 7.3. I'll be using the T-19... Also, is it necessary to swap the engine to bell housing adapters? ... Anything else that I will need to swap or other issues that I might run into in doing this swap? Thanks.
 
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Jesus Freak

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You're totally fine. The flywheel and tranny will bolt right on with no issues. It sounds like you already know of the two differences, as in motor mounts and oil cooler.

The biggest problem you'll run into is the engine itself.....it weighs about 900lbs, so be careful,lol.
 

86f2504x4

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HA!... I know about that gravity ussue!. I have an old E350 that swallowed a valve back in2002, or so... Found another 6.9 from a pick up, and put it in. That's how I know about the mounts and cooler... Seems I read somewhere that there might be an engine balance difference between the 6.9 s and the 7.3 s , or maybe that's just the factory turbo 7.3? ... Anyway, thanks!
 

Jesus Freak

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HA!... I know about that gravity ussue!. I have an old E350 that swallowed a valve back in2002, or so... Found another 6.9 from a pick up, and put it in. That's how I know about the mounts and cooler... Seems I read somewhere that there might be an engine balance difference between the 6.9 s and the 7.3 s , or maybe that's just the factory turbo 7.3? ... Anyway, thanks!
The balance has to do with the harmonic balancer on the turbo engine.

Pulling a van engine would be a mess.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Pulling a van engine would be a mess.
It is. I liked 6.9s better in vans. We'd remove the oil fill and use a forklift to R&R the engine. It's less physical labor that way. We used a cherry picker the first time and I wasn't impressed.
Don't forget to remove the spacer that's probably behind the flexplate on the van engine. The adapter plates on the back of the engines are exactly the same and will work behind either engine and in front of either transmission.
 

86f2504x4

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Yes, it was a mess. I used a cherry picker, but didn't have a load leveler... It took 2 picks. Cherry picker in front and floor jack at the rear to move it forward onto the cross member (and get the weight from under the windshield) then, jack under the front of the engine to reset the hoist at the balance point ... Opposite way going back in... It wasn't much fun, but we made it happen.
 

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